why do you have to wait year to give a baby whole milk?

Question

WHat makes the year mark the magic number?

Answer 1

Several reasons...first, cow's milk is harder for the baby's system to digest. Second, cow's milk does not provide nearly the same nutritional value as breast milk or formula, can lead to iron deficiency. Finally, there is the issue of food allergies. Certain foods, which are okay when you are older, can cause allergies when introduced too early. This includes milk and peanuts.

There is no "magic" about the 1-year-old rule. It is a general rule of thumb when you it is generally felt to be safe to introduce cow's milk. As some here have said, they know of children who were started on milk earlier without any problems. All children will develop differently and 1-year is a time when studies have shown the majority of kids will be fine on cow's milk.

And same goes for peanuts and peanut butter...that is a very common and potentially fatal allergy for some. Best to avoid until they are TWO years old :)

Answer 2

There are many reasons why you wait AT LEAST a full year - immature digestive system being the main one. But of course babies need nutrients that just arent found in cow milk naturally, and thus if you look at a tin of formula you will see a lengthy list of ingredients. I'm not sure what it is like in the States, but here in France you can find milk special for children aged 1 to 3, which has the extra nutrients important for growing toddlers. How someone determined the magic number of 1 yr, I have no idea, and my husband questions these things all the time too. I sorta roll my eyes and say 'let it go' but he's a scientist and thus must have scientific information to back things up. I dont have a problem with that, but you wont find one single article, baby book, etc that says you can give cow milk to a child younger than 12mths so for me I'm good without seeing the medical journal detailing the studies.

P.S. Yes, of course, breastmilk is the best milk for your child, well past 1 yr... not to forget that.

Answer 3

http://www.drreddy.com/feedbaby.html

Do NOT give plain cow's milk to your baby.
Cow's-milk-based formulas have been processed so that babies can digest the protein in the milk more easily. Plain cow's milk can irritate the intestinal wall, resulting in some cases in microscopic bleeding -- you won't see blood in your baby's stool, but it's there, and your baby will become anemic as the bleeding increases. Also, it's hard for a baby to absorb iron from cow's milk, even if extra iron is added. (Breast milk actually has less iron than formula does -- but a baby will absorb more iron from breast milk than from formula. The amount of iron doesn't matter nearly as much as how well the iron is absorbed.) Generally, babies' intestines aren't ready for cow's milk until they are about 1 year old.

Cow's milk is not until at least one year of age.........and it should be WHOLE/HOMOGENIZED milk not 2% milk becuz they need the fat for their growth and development

There are several reasons to delay the introduction of cow's milk until your baby reaches his first birthday. Most important, a baby's digestive system can't digest cow's milk proteins. Cow's milk also has too much sodium, potassium, and chloride, which can tax your baby's kidneys.

Even if his system could handle it, cow's milk doesn't have all the vitamins and minerals (especially vitamin E, zinc, and iron) that he needs for growth and development in his first year. Giving a baby cow's milk could even cause iron deficiency and internal bleeding. And it can increase his risk of an allergic reaction.

Once your baby's digestive system is ready to digest it, though, milk becomes a powerful ally. A great source of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, and magnesium, milk will build your toddler's bones and teeth and help his body regulate his blood coagulation and muscle control. Almost all milk is fortified with vitamin D, which helps the body absorb the calcium it needs.

Milk also provides protein for growth, as well as carbohydrates, which will give your child the energy he needs to toddle all day! And if your child gets enough calcium from the get-go, there's evidence that he'll have a lower risk of high blood pressure, stroke, colon cancer, and hip fractures later in life.


http://www.drpaul.com/library/12NOV1999.html

http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/babies/CowMilk.htm

Answer 4

a lot of babies are born "lactose intolerant" which just means their digestive system can't handle real milk yet. after a year is over, then you start to mix formula and milk together. at first it'll be hard, their stomach will hurt and they'll be gassy and cry a lot because they're uncomfortable, but it won't last for very long. after about two weeks u just give them regular milk, no more formula, and then everything will be ok from there. they'll be used to the milk by then.

Answer 5

12mo isn't really a "magic" number, wait longer if possible.
Cow milk is intended for cow babies, not humans. It has hard to digest proteins and enzyms in it. Baby formula is made of cows milk and is also harder for babies to digest, hence why formulafed babies have harder bowel movements, higher incidence of stomach upsets and digestive problems and developing lactose intolerance.
Human milk is made perfect for human babies, that is all they need for the first 2 years of life.

Answer 6

First ask your pediatrician because it relies upon on the health of your infant, and how advanced your son is. His digestive tract can't procedure it before a particular age, and also you actually have the want to make particular he's getting sufficient nutrition elsewhere so as that he doesn't want the nutrition from both breast milk or formula.

Answer 7

Their digestive system cannot break down the proteins in cow's milk. Also, their immune systems cannot fight bacteria that may be in certain foods and they are more susceptible to food allergies before 1 yr. That is also why babies under 1 yr. should not eat honey, eggs, or nuts.

Answer 8

Their little tummies can't digest cows milk correctly until they are at least a year old, I know some parents that continue to formula feed well after the first birthday. :-)
But the reason is, as stated above...Because their tummies can't digest cows milk.

Answer 9

About that time is when they are able to digest the complex proteins in cows milk. Othewise it gives them a belly ache and they get no nutritional value from it

Answer 10

Breast milk has over 200 vitamins, antioxidents, etc. Formula has less, but more nutrients than cow's milk. Also breast milk and formula has better fat content which is necessary for brain development. Cow's milk is for baby cows.